In the 800's the Vikings began to attack the west coast of
the Frankish kingdom. They destroyed coastal villages and island
settlements in the region, and were so strong and successful that the
ruler of the Franks, Charlemagne himself, had to come and help defend
the coast.

In 911, the famous Viking chieftain Rolo "the Walker"
of Norway invaded the Frankish shores. To stem his advance,
the Frankish king Charles the Simple begged peace from Rolo.

Rolo asked for -- and received -- Rouen and the surrounding
land as a price for peace. He settled the area with his kinsmen, the Normans
(Norsemen). Ever since, the region has been called Normandy.